Beyond Sequester, Bright Future for Reshaping Defense
Yesterday, it was announced that Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has ordered a high-level review of defense strategy to “preserve and adapt” the U.S. military for the future security and fiscal environments. The consensus among outside experts and military leaders that Pentagon spending and strategy should be reshaped to be more efficient and effective continues to grow – as does a bipartisan view on Capitol Hill that Pentagon reductions must be part of a solution to sequestration. Hagel’s reassessment will form the basis of next year’s Quadrennial Defense Review and should be part of an effort to build national consensus on strategic priorities to guide spending decisions and promote fiscal health – as NSN’s recent report, “Reshaping Pentagon Spending and Capabilities: Setting Priorities for the Future,” recommends.
In a first step towards strategically reshaping the Pentagon, Secretary Hagel begins review of defense strategy. The Washington Post reports, “In response to the budget cuts that took effect March 1, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a re-evaluation of the underpinnings of the defense strategy… The review is to ‘define the major decisions that must be made in the decade ahead to preserve and adapt our defense strategy…’” Pentagon spokesperson George Little added, “The results of this review will frame the secretary’s guidance for the fiscal 2015 budget and will ultimately be the foundation for the Quadrennial Defense Review due to Congress in February 2014.” [AOL Defense, 3/18/13. George Little via Department of Defense, 3/18/13]
Plenty of options for reshaping strategy and Pentagon spending to sustain American military power. The Hill reports, “Several high-profile defense think tanks from across the political spectrum are on relatively the same page, in terms of what kind of financial hit the Pentagon should take in the coming decade, according to a recently released report. The study, compiled by Washington-based National Security Network, found the average spending reduction to DOD [Department of Defense] coffers recommended by these think thanks came to just over $510 billion over the next ten years…Researchers at NSN surveyed disparate proposals for Pentagon spending reductions drafted by Project on Defense Alternatives, Center for a New American Security, Center for American Progress, The Stimson Center, RAND Corporation and The Project on Government Oversight….’All [organizations] agree the Pentagon can and should re prioritize its myriad missions, reduce significantly its overall spending, and reshape its structure to support a robust national security strategy over the next decade,’ according to a summary of the NSN report.” [The Hill, 12/17/12]
The National Security Network recently made another contribution to this important debate over matching funding to strategic priorities with its most recent policy paper, “Reshaping Pentagon Spending and Capabilities: Setting Priorities for the Future.” The paper outlines how the United States can reshape its military to better meet future threats while also reducing Pentagon spending up to $500 billion over the decade by setting forward looking priorities to guide smart, targeted funding trade-offs.
Military security leaders agree: seize historic opportunity to make American military power sustainable.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey: “If we can get the reforms to pay and compensation we do need … and if we can get rid of the weapons and infrastructure we don’t need … then, we can begin to restore the versatility of the Joint Force at an affordable and sustainable cost.” [AOL Defense, 3/18/13]
Former Army Chief of Staff General George Casey: “[Sequestration’s] an opportunity to force ourselves to look hard at ourselves and downsize…It’s a good opportunity to drive ourselves to be more efficient.” He added, “We have to take a step back and ask ourselves – what kind of Army do we need for the rest of the 21st Century?” [Military News, 2/28/13]
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and other leaders: A letter signed by top military and civilian national security leaders – including former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen, Madeleine Albright, James Baker, Samuel Berger, Zbigniew Brzezinski and Henry Kissinger – explains, “In our judgment, advances in technological capabilities and the changing nature of threats make it possible, if properly done, to spend less on a more intelligent, efficient and contemporary defense strategy that maintains our military superiority and national security.’ [Coalition for Fiscal and National Security, 12/4/12]
As consequences of sequestration settle in, the bipartisan consensus deepens – that the Pentagon should remain on the table as part of any deal.
Rep. Coffman (R-CO): Congressman Mike Coffman is introducing a bill that would reduce Pentagon spending by $500 billion over the next decade but in a targeted way – unlike sequestration. His website reports, “Some of Coffman’s targeted cuts, totaling over $500 billion over the next ten years, include: saving $53 billion by using local civilian contractors instead of military personnel to perform commercial-type activities on military bases; saving $20 billion by reducing U.S. forces in Europe; and saving $36.7 billion by reducing the number of (DoD) civilian positions through attrition.” Other reductions include saving $150 billion “through reducing programs and activities which do not contribute significantly to military capability” and $100 billion through “’sea swap’ policies for cruisers, destroyers, and amphibious ships by flying crews out to ships instead of changing crews at home ports.” [Congressman Coffman, 2/21/13]
Congressional Progressive Caucus: The Congressional Progressive Caucus has proposed reducing Pentagon spending by nearly $900 billion. The plan would adapt the military to 21st century threats threats like cyberwarfare, nuclear proliferation, and non-state actors through a leaner, more agile military. [Congressional Progressive Caucus 3/2013]
House Democrats’ Budget: House Democrats have proposed budget that “proposes to cut defense spending by $200 billion from pre-sequester levels over the next decade, in part by identifying waste and reforming the acquisition process.” [Government Executive, 3/18/13]
Senate Democrats’ Budget: Senate Democrats have proposed a federal budget that would reduce Pentagon spending by $240 billion over the coming decade. “This will involve some tough decisions, but it is a responsible path that is nothing like the across-the-board cuts from sequestration that would be devastating to defense programs and jobs if they weren’t replaced,” said Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA). [Defense News 3/13/13]
What We’re Reading
At least 48 people were killed and scores injured in a series of bomb attacks in Baghdad on the 10th anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq.
Syrian state media say rebels fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad have fired a chemical weapon in the north of the country.
Seven U.S. service personnel died in a blast at a military ammunition storage facility in Nevada.
The U.S. is flying nuclear-capable B-52 bombers over South Korea, in what it says is a response to escalating North Korean rhetoric.
Xi Jinping called for strong ties with the U.S., in the first high-level meeting between the two countries since he was confirmed as China’s president.
Italy accused India of violating international law on diplomatic immunity by preventing its ambassador from leaving the country.
Pope Francis inaugurated his papacy at a mass in Rome, calling on global leaders and all people of the world to defend the poor and the weak.
France is hosting talks on Mali’s post-war development, two months after sending troops to battle Islamist militants in northern Mali.
Congolese rebel leader Bosco Ntaganda surrendered to the U.S. embassy in Rwanda, agreeing to stand trial on war crimes charges at the International Criminal Court.
Zimbabwe’s new constitution was approved by an overwhelming majority in a referendum.
Commentary of the Day
Richard Clarke discusses five unfortunate facts about the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
Jamie Tarabay analyzes the effect of the Iraq War on U.S. diplomatic influence.
Michael Wahid Hanna explores the role of Arab nations in making the “Arab Spring” a constructive and sustainable movement.
